Modular automated inventory sorting and retrieving

US10217074B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• AMAZON TECHNOLOGIES, INC. · US

Inventors

• Timothy Stallman · Groton, US
• Tye Michael Brady · Southborough, US
• Michael Robert Bocamazo · Somerville, US
• Mafalda Ghira Borges · Madison, US
• Harris Scott Davidson · Austin, US
• Anders Richard Johnson · Grafton, US
• Abigail Phyllis Rodrigues · Somerville, US
• Mindy Tieu · Boston, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 29, 2017
• Grant date: Feb 26, 2019
• Expiry date: Aug 29, 2037

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B65G1/1378
• WIPO field: Handling
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A modular sorting station includes a frame defining an inbound bay and an outbound bay, each of the inbound and outbound bays being sized to receive an inventory holder containing inventory thereon. A robotic grasper is mounted to the frame and positioned above one of the inbound and outbound bays and operable to transfer inventory items from the inbound bay to the outbound bay, and a sensor mounted to one of the frame or robotic grasper and operable to identify inventory at the inbound bay when the inventory holder is present in the inbound bay. The frame is sized and arranged to align with a material handling grid and permit drive units to transport inventory holders into and out of the inbound bay and/or outbound bays while moving along the material handling grid; and the frame is portable such that the modular sorting station can be moved as a modular unit for rapid deployment.